<h4>Chapter 113 - SEXY</h4>


    As his hands explored the curves,


    and slopes, and ravines


    of her body, she felt her heart


    e to life again and beat in


    tandem with his love.


    ***


    I peeled the scarlet ball gown, watched it fall to the tiled floor with a rustle before slowly climbing to the tub and soaking my body with the scented milk bath.


    My long, inky ck hair cascades to the floor like a waterfall as I lie there with my eyes closed, savoring the delicious warmth enveloping my whole body.


    For the umpteenth time, I run my ns into my head. When I was satisfied, I smiled to myself and began to rx.


    I wonder how Ace would react after I tell him about my favor. Will he agree or will he decline my offer? Or perhaps he would think I bumped my head or else he would say I lost my mind.


    I wouldpletely understand if he wouldn''t agree. After all, It was what I''m expecting him to do. But despite it all, I still want to try if I could get a different answer from him. He might sumb to my charm and agree to grant me the favor I ask for.


    The red rose petals caught my attention and I scooped it with my left palms, its soft and delicate, momentarily reminding me of my old fragile self which Vince and Ang mercilessly crushed. If it weren''t for Ace, I would never have the courage to meet my old nemesis.


    When I emerged from the bathtub the sweet scent of rose petals lingered to my skin. I used the towel hanging on the rack to dry my body. When I was finished, I put thece nighties on and surveyed my reflection in the mirror.


    Warmth spreads through my cheeks when I realize how I look. Jeez, I know the scanty outfit was sexy but I never imagined that it could be this vulgar. The see through fabric hides nothing to the imagination. The pinkish buds of my breast were almost visible beneath it.


    Calm down, Phoenix. I told myself when panic seized me. I took a deep calming breath. It''s toote to back out now, I told myself and pushed the doubts off my thoughts.


    I grabbed the red silk bathrobe hanging on the rack and slipped it to my arms then tied the sash in front into a ribbon. When I''m done I grabbed the hair brush I saw in front of the mirror and brushed my extremely long hair until the tangled ends were gone.


    After taking a deep breath I finally pulled the door open.


    Ace was sprawled on the bed, his eyes were closed.?He was wearing nothing underneath his red bathrobe. He looked so calm, almost angelic while he slept. I found myself swallowing hard as I watched him.


    My gaze shifted on the ss table and found a bottle of vintage wine. Beside the wine, a pair of wine sses stood.


    "Ace?"


    There was no response. I wonder if he had fallen asleep while I''m inside the bathroom.


    I walk towards the bed with slow, careful steps so as to not wake him up. Ace must be tired. I don''t want to disturb him. I gingerly climbed on top of the bed and stared at his breathtaking handsome face. It made me want to run my fingers around the smoothness of his cheeks but I''m afraid I would wake him up.


    Ace looked good while he''s asleep. I wonder how he does that. I, on the other hand, looked my worst when I''m asleep.


    I leaned closer until my face was only inches away from his. It felt so good watching him this close. I could look at him forever and not feel tired at all. His nose, his lips, his eyes, and his eyshes looked perfect. Well, everything about him looked perfect to me.


    I''m in the midst of watching him when Faith Vienne slipped inside my thoughts. I wonder if my baby is fine. Jeez. I missed


    her already.


    Sighing, I grabbed my phone on top of the bedside table and dialed Elisa''s number. On the third ring, she answered the phone.


    "Sorry to disturb you Lis. I just called to check on Faith Vienne." I kept my voice low so as not to wake up Ace who was lying beside me.


    "You don''t have to worry about her. Faith is fast asleep now. Sorry I need to hang up now, Bea. Please enjoy the night with Ace." Lis said thest sentence meaningfully. I was d she''s not here to see the deep blush that stained my cheeks.


    "Thanks a lot, Lis." I hung up and ced the phone back on top of the night table.


    "Sorry I fell asleep." He murmured sleepily, his eyes half closed. Ace has no idea how he looked so sexy at the moment.


    A scream nearly burst from my lips when Ace''s arms draped around my waist pulling me closer to his warm body. To make sure I wouldn''t struggle, he ced his leg on top of my thighs then he buried his nose on my chest where he sucked the skin and left a red mark.


    "The wine, Ace." I reminded him. He just groaned in return and hugged me closer.


    "Damn the wine. You''re far more tasty than a vintage wine." He buried his nose in the crook of my head. "Did you bathe with perfume? You smell so good." He added absentmindedly.


    I bit my lower lips. How was I supposed to react to thatpliment?


    "Ace,"


    "Yes love?"


    "I have a favor to ask you." I was relieved when I finally said the word aloud.


    "Anything love… I would do everything for you. Want me to strip naked?"


    I punched him hard on the shoulders. To my surprise, he burst into a crunchyughter that filled the whole room. Jeez. He wasn''t taking me seriously. If he was like that I wonder if he would even take my request seriously.


    "It''s the reverse Ace. I will?be the one to strip naked."


    Atst, it took his attention. His eyes snapped open and he looked at me with wonder.


    "You''re kidding right?" He said slowly, pure disbelief was written all over his face.


    "I''ve never been this serious before, Ace. I want you to paint me…. Of course naked."


    "I''m no Jack, Phoenix. I don''t want to be him. Thest time he painted Rose''s nude portrait, he died."


    If the situation weren''t so serious I would already burst outughing. I rolled my eyes heavenward. I wonder if he was joking.


    "I''m serious Ace."


    "Well… I don''t have materials with me."?He said nonchntly. Until now he believed I''m trying to tease him.


    I pushed him away. He groaned in protests but he allowed me to go. When my feet touched the floor I pulled a box from under the bed and sheepishly smiled at him. "Don''t worry Ace, I had all the materials you needed with me." I gestured to the box with the paint and white canvas inside.


    Ace hastily abandoned the bed. All traces of humor were gone on his face now. He stood in front of me, legs apart and arms folded on his chest. There was an unusual frown on his forehead.


    I won this battle. Realizing that the victory is mine, I shed him a sweet, triumphant smile.


    "Bloody hell…" He muttered under his breath knowing he didn''t have a choice.


    ***


    I grabbed the wine ss and poured the contents into my mouth. The delicious warmth spread through my throat making me feel rxed.


    This is it. There''s no turning back. I told myself for the umpteenth time as I did my best to ignore the butterflies churning the inside of my stomach.


    Ace pulled the crème colored?settee underneath the chandelier to provide the perfect lighting. When he finished, he finally raised his head towards me and headed in my direction.


    He captured my face, gazed at my eyes tenderly and whispered the words hoarsely, "Are you ready?"


    I swallowed hard. I found myself lost in the depths of his enchanting blue eyes.


    I took a deep breath before I replied, "I think I am."


    Ace untied the sash of my robe. His fingers then moved to my shoulders to pull my silk robe down to my shoulders. The sleek garment slid past my elbows until it fell on a heap to the floor.


    Ace gasped when his admiring eyes moved to the scanty night gown I wore that hide nothing from the imagination.


    "Good Lord… You''re beautiful..." He murmured in appreciation without taking his eyes off?my body. Right through the see-through garment he could clearly see I''m wearing a ck thong underneath.


    He untied the ribbon on my chest until half of my creamy breasts were exposed and only the pinkish bud were covered by the thinyer of cloth.


    My cheeks burned while I watch him look at me with heated gaze.